The S.S. Badger provides more than a convenient way for people to travel across Lake Michigan. The National Historic Landmark has been crossing the lake for more than 60 years providing unique experiences and scenic views for passengers.
Josh Clark/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

S.S. Badger Lake Michigan Car Ferry season sets sail May 10

The S.S. Badger Lake Michigan car ferry will make its maiden 2019 voyage May 10, arriving in Manitowoc between 11:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. at the car ferry dock at 900 S. Lakeview Drive. The city invites the public to welcome the Badger on its first voyage of the season.

The 410-foot S.S. Badger makes nearly 450 crossings each season between Manitowoc and Ludington, Michigan, carrying approximately 1,500 commercial vehicles and 100,000 passengers, and employs more than 200 people. More info: ssbadger.com.

The 2019 sailing season marks the first since the newly constructed dock and wall, made necessary by a late-season snowstorm in April 2018.

Helmsman James Throop steers the S.S. Badger out of the Manitowoc harbor starting the car ferry's journey to Ludington, Mich., Friday, Jun. 23, 2017, in Manitowoc, Wis. On a typical day, the Badger will make the trip across Lake Michigan between Manitowoc and Lundington a total of four times. Josh Clark/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Josh Clark/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Steve Lisowski of Littleton, Colo., looks out over Lake Michigan from the deck of the S.S. Badger as the ship makes its morning journey from Ludington, Mich. to Manitowoc, Wis., Saturday, Jun. 24, 2017. Land can't be seen from either Wisconsin or Michigan when the Badger reaches the midway point across the Great Lake. Josh Clark/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Josh Clark/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Manitowoc Farmers' Market starts season Saturday

The Manitowoc Farmers' Market opens for the summer season from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday in the farmers' market lot at 720 Quay St., downtown.

The summer market will run during the same hours every Saturday through October.

The market is run by local 501(c)(3) nonprofit Grow It Forward, which recently announced sponsors for the 2019-20 market seasons are Aurora Health Care and BayCare Clinic. Grow It Forward also organizes a winter market that runs 9 a.m.-1 p.m. the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, November-April, at the organization's headquarters, 1501 Marshal St.

The market also partners with Brennan Seehafer to organize six Night Market 920 events throughout the summer. Night markets are held on select Wednesdays throughout summer in the lot at 720 Quay St., begin at 5 p.m. and include live music, food trucks, vendors and family fun. Here's the Night Market 920 schedule for 2019, including music lineup:

June 12 — Road Trip band;

June 26 — Whiskey Ditch;

July 10 — Unity the Band;

July 24 — The Glam Band;

Aug. 7 — Johnny Wad and Bazooka Joe band; and

Aug. 14 — The Boogie Men.

More than 25,000 people visit the farmers' market each year, Grow It Forward said. More info: grow-it-forward.org.

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Road closures set on South 17th, Hamilton Street

Road closures are set on South 17th Street and Hamilton Street in coming days, the city said. Here's more about those closures:

South 17th Street, from Hamilton to Madison streets, is scheduled to be closed to through traffic on Wednesday, weather permitting. The road is being closed for the repair/replacement of a lead water service. It is anticipated that the road will be reopened to traffic by the end of the workday.

Hamilton Street, from South Ninth to South 10th streets, is scheduled to be closed to through traffic on Thursday, weather permitting. The road is being closed for the replacement of a lead water service and sanitary lateral. It is anticipated that the road will be reopened to traffic by the end of the workday.

Civil War-themed memory loss program set at Historical Society

The life of a Civil War soldier and the home front will be the topic for the Manitowoc County Historical Society (MCHS) SPARK! program from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. May 8.

SPARK! is a free monthly program for individuals living with early to mid-stage memory loss, their care partners, and family members. Participants are engaged in lively conversations, exhibit exploration, historic artifacts and multisensory activities.

SPARK! programs are held on the second Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m. Participants may arrive at 10:45 a.m. for coffee and conversation before the program begins. Participants and their families are also welcome to stay after to tour the museum.

Modeled on the successful “Meet Me at MoMA” program at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, the SPARK! Alliance began in 2010 with five cultural institutions in Wisconsin. The Rahr-West Art Museum in Manitowoc also hosts SPARK! programs, which take place at 11 a.m. on the third Thursday of every month at the museum, 610 N. Eighth St., Manitowoc, and lasts about an hour-and-a-half.

The programs are free.

The Historical Society is at 924 Pinecrest Road, Manitowoc. More info: ManitowocCountyHistory.org/spark or call 920-684-4445. Registration for programs is appreciated, the society said.

River's Bend to host Foot and Toenail Clinic May 13

River's Bend Health Services will hold a Foot and Toenail Clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 13. The clinic consists of individual 30-minute appointments with a registered nurse who will trim toenails, care for calluses and assess foot health.

Cost of the appointment is $25, payable in cash or check. Call 920-684-1144 to schedule an appointment.